Ronald Steele will have surgery

TUSCALOOSA | Dr. James Andrews, a consultant to the University of Alabama’s sports medicine staff, said Wednesday that Crimson Tide point guard Ronald Steele will undergo diagnostic arthroscopy on his knees Tuesday.

In a statement Andrews said:

“Ronald Steele will undergo diagnostic arthroscopy of both knees to evaluate ongoing symptoms. The procedure will be performed at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham by Dr. E Lyle Cain Jr. and Dr. James R. Andrews on Tuesday. It will be necessary for Mr. Steele to complete physical therapy following surgery, and he is expected to return to full activity for next season."

Steele was a 2006-07 Associated Press Preseason All-American. However, injuries limited his playing time. He played in 26 of Alabama’s 32 games, averaging 8.6 points. In 2005-06, Steele was Alabama’s co-leader in scoring with an average of 14.3 points.

“My No. 1 concern right now is with Ron Steele and doing everything we possibly can to help him get back to 100 percent," Alabama coach Mark Gottfried said. “I’m more concerned about Ron Steele the individual, than Ron Steele the player, and we want to ensure that his health continues to undergo the best care and that he has a long future in basketball."

Steele was limited throughout his junior season with knee tendonitis, a sprained ankle and then another knee injury.

Both Steele and Gottfried said after the Tide’s SEC Tournament loss to Kentucky that Steele would likely require rest and not surgery to heal from his injuries.